Be cautious about "a little bird told me"

Question

Hi,My AE idioms dictionary warns -  this idiom is rude in some circumstances...Unexpected warning ... this expression looks so innocent ( and "childish") to me...When ( in what context) we English learners SHOULD avoid using the idiom?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

I've never known it to be rude, except in the sense that I found out a secret and I'm not going to tell you who told me.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

My AE idioms dictionary warns - this idiom is rude in some circumstances...

Unexpected warning ... this expression looks so innocent ( and "childish") to me...

When ( in what context) SHOULD we English learners avoid using the idiom?<<< Note that this is the proper word order for your question.

Don't use it in a business context, or indeed in any context where you want to sound 'grown up' and mature. It's a playful way of avoiding a question. The rudeness comes from treating someone like a child when they are in fact asking you a serious question and expecting a serious answer.

Clive

Be cautious about "a little bird told me"

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